Ucits net inflows to €47bn, says EFAMA

By: Chiara Albanese | 14 May 2012

Inflows into Ucits funds increased considerably between February and March after a slow start of the year, according to data released today by the European Funds Management Association (EFAMA) and based on figures from 24 associations representing 97% of Europe’s Ucits and non-Ucits assets.

Ucits recorded an increase in net inflows in March to €47bn, following a €19bn in February.

According to EFAMA, the performance is related to a significant increase in net sales of bond and money market funds. Inflows into these funds rose to €26bn in March from €9bn in February.

Net sales of long-term Ucits increased in March to record inflows of €32bn, compared to €18bn in February.

Balanced funds net sales increased to €4bn from €1bn in February, while money market funds experienced in increase in net inflows in March to €15bn.

Funds reserved to institutional investors registered reduced net inflows during the month to €10bn, down from €16bn in February.

Total assets of Ucits increased 0.8% in March to €5,868bn, while total assets of non-Ucits increased by 0.9% to €2,289bn.

“A surge in demand for Ucits in March found its origin in the easing of tensions in bond markets on the back of the second ECB long-term refinancing operations at end February and the completion of the Greek debt restructuring in early March. However, the demand for equity funds continued to be low, signaling remaining concerns about the downside risks to the growth prospects,” said Bernard Delbecque, director of economics and research at EFAMA.